The back end of summer seems to divide people into those who are sad to lose the last of the long warm days and those who look forward with anticipation to the autumnal hints that begin even towards the end of August. I must admit that I count myself in the latter category; there are still so many delights to look forward to.

Of course with this being harvest time, there is much produce to gather both from the vegetable garden and from hedgerows and alongside footpaths – blackberries are a time-honoured favourite. Brambles, on which blackberries grow, are one of the few plants that seem to put on amazing growth in late August and September – just when you think you have finished controlling exuberant growth in your garden, bramble shoots appear across paths as if from nowhere.

If you are harvesting vegetables and leaving the soil bare, consider planting a green manure to help protect the soil during the winter. Getting this started while the soil is still warm is a good idea and it will provide protection from heavy rains and the washing away of nutrients. It can then be dug into the ground in spring before new plants go in. Over the years I have gone from being fairly ambivalent about this to an ardent supporter, having watched what happens even to good soils when exposed to the torrential rains which seem to be happening more frequently.

Now is also a good time to have a look at bulb catalogues and think about getting an order in for planting through the autumn. Often the earliest orders will result in the best bulbs and these will give you better flowers next year.

Although the weather may be cooling, don’t forget to keep plants in containers watered – they still need regular attention and a bit of work now will keep many pots and hanging baskets going well into the autumn, rewarding you with new colours and tints as well as flowers.

For me, it doesn’t get better than this, my favourite time of year in the garden, and I hope you have a chance to enjoy it too. The garden colour at Standen is spectacular now, so come and indulge yourself.

  • Standen, West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 4NE, Tel: 01342 323029, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/standen
  • House, garden, restaurant and shop open every day from Feb 16 to Dec 24 (weekends only from Nov 9 to 24)